Posted By Tim Briggs As a former Branch Education officer and now Branch Chair I have put a lot of effort into attracting new members. As such my involvement with students has been considerable, and the Yorkshire Branch is actively developing its student mebership and involvement for several reasons. Firstly I believe that students are the Institutions and therefore Branches future lifeblood. I beleieve that attracting student members helps to bring new ideas to the Instution through participation and involvement of the students. I realise that as non voting members students will need voices to promote their concerns and ambitions. Secondly I believe that IOSH as an Institution should and could do more to promote student involvement which will help secure active participation at Branch and SG level thereby increasing Branch activity and Branch attendance numbers. By doing this we can also help students meet practitioners, thereby possibly helping with employment opportunities, work placement opportunities in connection with academic studies etc.etc. This is not meant to be a detrimental statement of those branches and IOSH HQ personnel that are trying already, very hard to attract the student population and engage with them for their and our benefit. Althought the discussion forum is an excellent tool for full, part-time and distance learning students and potential future practitioners there is not much else for the Institution to attract students with, and very little direct activity aimed at the full, part-time student except possibly branch meetings which may clash with academic activities. Having looked at SG website I do not see anything that specifcally is aimed at Students and educators, whether they are academics or trainers. It has been suggested that a debate is opened with a view to forming a SG for Academics and Students, which I believe would be of value and benefit to individuals and the Institution as a whole. This would also be a link for trainers and academics to exchange views, ensure student needs are addressed and peovide a link to our potentially new members. For the Education sector SG it is principally for those managing H&S issues in the Education Sector, the Scientific Services group is based around Scientific Research and Development areas. I am prepared to start the debate rolling (suppose I have really) and wondered what support an Academic Student SG group would attract. The floor and debate is now open. Please bear in mind views expressed here can influence, persuade and support the cause, as well as detract from it. I look foward to seeing the diversity of views on the forming of such a SG.

Posted By PAUL UNWIN AH HA, Do I see someone that realises todays Tech IOSH could be tomorrows leading lights? Yes, a specialist student group has its merits, but take it a stage further, IOSH HQ and the branch networks hold names and addresses of members at all levels. Would it not be feasible to introduce mentoring for new and existing bottom end members by introducing them to MIOSH members in that persons locality? The description "students" could be construed that you only wish to develop people with uni. degrees, I have met many people without uni. degrees who have, with the right help, become a success in their field. A trawl through the careers forum throws up many members seeking their first step onto the ladder, they need more help and encouragement, they have already put effort into gaining qualification but need help and encouragement to develop further. I remember a Personnel Manager reviewing my varied work history making the comment, " I have difficulty seeing where you are coming from, working class or middle class." We are all born equal, some get the breaks, some do not. Anything that can be done to create the right breaks, must be done and sooner rather than later. Paul

Posted By Karen L Duggan Hi Tim - speaking as a recent Leeds Met bod and thus from the perspective purely of a degree student, I think a major benefit not to underestimated, is the potential to reduce the feelings of being thrown in at the deep end. This would require the SG to include the newly qualified (but without experience) as well as current students. Many students - when they do find employment - may be the only H&S person within a company and the prospect of having to integrate an academic understanding of the subject with a practical working approach is very daunting. I have found this myself and I came to H&S after 25 years in senior management so I was hardly unfamiliar with the working world. The chance to acquire practical advice which cuts to the chase, highlights key issues and helps the individual structure an approach would be invaluable. I realise that the mentoring approach would provide some of this, but (if I am understanding the mentoring idea correctly - ie one on one) access to many individuals through an SG, each with their own areas of expertise or interest would be advantageous. The benefits of interaction between students and the newly qualified along with assistance from 'old hands' would be significant. Not only could it potentially reduce the anxiety attached to coming to a new environment and making decisions, it could serve to help raise the standards of competency at a very early stage of the new professional's career. Karen